Seven Days of Feasting and the Bridegroom Who Is Like a King

The seven days of the wedding feast we learn from Jacob and from Samson. When Samson went down to the land of the Philistines and took a wife, he made a feast and rejoiced for seven days, as it is said, "And it came to pass, when they saw him" (Judges 14:11). What were they doing? They were eating and drinking with him, as it is said, "And Samson said to them: Let me put a riddle to you" (Judges 14:12). The bridegroom is like a king. Just as everyone praises the king, so too the bridegroom throughout the seven days of the feast. Just as a king wears garments of honor, so too the bridegroom. Just as before a king there is joy and feasting all his days, so too the bridegroom throughout the seven days of the feast. Just as a king does not go out to the marketplace alone, so too the bridegroom. Just as a king's face shines like the light of the sun, so too the bridegroom, as it is said, "And he is like a bridegroom coming forth from his canopy" (Psalms 19:6).